Liverpool are reportedly edging closer and closer to the signing of Alexis Mac Allister after Fabrizio Romano provided a significant update on the would-be deal.
Jurgen Klopp is desperate to rebuild his midfield after seeing his side fall below their usual high standards this season. After crashing out of trophy contention early, the Reds now face a desperate fight to even claim a Champions League place. A run of seven straight wins has fired them back into contention, though Manchester United have a point advantage and a game in hand.
Regardless of where they finish, plans for a midfield summer rebuild are well underway. And with James Milner, Arthur Melo, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain departing, Klopp has a number of positions to fill. To that end, Liverpool are reportedly targeting up to three new midfield signings.
Now it seems the first of those in Mac Allister is edging closer. Liverpool have locked on to the signing of the Brighton star having been priced out of a move for Jude Bellingham.
However, a move for Mac Allister looks a good deal simpler to complete. And with Mac Allister having a release clause in his deal to help facilitate the transfer, Liverpool are now edging nearer to his signing.
Brighton reportedly value Mac Allister at around £70m, though some reports claim a deal could go through for as little as £53m.
Either way, transfer specialist Romano has delivered a telling update on his move to Anfield.
And while he says nothing is signed and sealed yet, he claims discussions over the deal are advanced.
Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool drawing closer
And the Italian journalist claims the World Cup winner has said yes to Klopp’s advances.
“Mac Allister is one of the priority targets for Liverpool but it’s not something completed,” he told Givemesport. “Let me clarify, because the feeling I had in the last few weeks was ‘Okay, it’s a done deal, Mac Allister will join Liverpool.’ Not yet.
“It is advanced [discussions]. It’s a ‘yes’ from the players’ side [to negotiate] but it is not completed yet. And so I will keep that open at the moment.”
Mac Allister is contracted to Brighton until 2025 and the Seagulls appear powerless to prevent his exit.
Indeed, their boss Roberto De Zerbi has as good as conceded that Mac Alliser and Moises Caicedo will leave this summer.
“For sure we will lose some players, maybe Caicedo and Mac Allister,” De Zerbi said on Sky Sports.
“We have to be ready to bring in more good players and for the others; Mitoma, Estupinan, I think for them the best solution is to stay with us.
“I don’t know if they are ready to play in the big teams. You have to arrive ready in the head. We can offer them the possibility to progress and to improve.”
Mac Allister has scored 12 times this season, underlining his very obvious qualities from midfield.
Arsenal target Mitoma in talks over new deal
Indded, his sale, and that of Caicedo, could net Brighton a huge £140m windfall. Knowing the Brighton model, they will unlikely be affected by their losses next season.
However, the double exit does mean that a third departure of the summer now has zero chance.
To that end, De Zerbi has made clear the club has intention of cashing in on Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma.
And the Seagulls are looking to tie the 25-year-old former Kawasaki Frontale man down to a new and improved deal.
Arsenal have been sniffing around Mitoma, who has 13 goal involvements this season, but that deal now has no chance of going through.
Mitoma’s current deal ties him to the Amex until summer 2025.
